Shellfish Development Initiative
Shellfish farming is an environmentally friendly activity with the potential to create significant economic opportunities for British Columbia's coastal communities and First Nations. Introduced in November 1998, the plan is to double the amount of Crown land available for shellfish aquaculture to 4,230 hectares within 10 years, at which time studies have indicated the industry could generate as much as $100 million annually and add 1,100 direct jobs to the industry.
 Government has been working with coastal and First Nations communities and industry to determine acceptable siting and production levels for shellfish aquaculture within each community. Shellfish pilot projects are under way at 15 sites on the North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands in co-operation with local First Nations.
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